Utah Jazz Offer Multi-Year Deal to Sixers' Paul Reed

The Utah Jazz have offered Philadelphia 76ers center Paul Reed a contract in free agency. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Reed has been offered a three-year deal worth $23 million. Reed, a restricted free agent, could have his offer matched by the Sixers.

Coming into the NBA as a former DePaul standout, Reed was a late second-round pick who became the Sixers’ third selection of the 2020 NBA Draft. After taking on Tyrese Maxey in the first round and snagging Isaiah Joe earlier in the second round, Reed was the 58th overall selection.

As a late second-round pick, Reed earned a two-way contract with the Sixers. When he debuted with the Delaware Blue Coats during his rookie effort, the young big man excelled by becoming the 2021 NBA G League MVP and Rookie of the Year.

Shortly after helping the Blue Coats make a run to the NBA G League Finals, Reed was upgraded to a standard NBA contract. At that point, he was looking for a chance on the main roster. During the Sixers’ 2021-2022 run, Reed appeared in 38 games. He averaged three points and three rebounds while averaging 56 percent from the field.

Although former Sixers head coach Doc Rivers hesitated to give Reed a full-time role during his sophomore effort, the young center was the team’s primary backup behind Joel Embiid in 2022. For a 12-game stretch during the 2022 playoffs, Reed averaged four points and four rebounds in 11 minutes of action.

For the second-straight season in 2022-2023, Reed had an inconsistent role with the Sixers. Splitting time with the now-former Sixers center Montrezl Harrell, Reed once again had to battle to become Embiid’s primary backup down the stretch.

Reed saw the court for a career-high 69 games in 2022-2023. He put up four points per game while coming down with four rebounds per game. In the playoffs, Reed played in all 11 games for the Sixers, spending 14 minutes on the floor per outing and would even draw two starts. During that stint, Reed averaged five points and six rebounds per game.

This summer, Reed was expected to draw some attention on the free agency market as a restricted prospect. In the days leading up to free agency, the Sixers reportedly extended a qualifying offer to the young veteran, showing signs of wanting to retain him.

Now, the ball is in the Sixers' court to match Reed's offer or allow him to walk. The Sixers have until Sunday night to make a decision.